2023-10-15 06:43:27
Early detection is important to preserve function and appearance… Check 8 ‘suspicious symptoms’
Entered 2023.10.15 15:43 Views 1,337 Entered 2023.10.15 15:43 Modified 2023.10.15 16:21 Views 1,337
Oral cancer, which occurs in the lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, roof of the mouth, and jawbone, is easy to confuse with stomatitis or gum disease, which are commonly experienced in everyday life, so care must be taken. [사진=게티이미지뱅크]Oral cancer, which occurs in the lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, roof of the mouth, and jawbone, is easy to confuse with stomatitis or gum disease, which are commonly experienced in everyday life, so care must be taken.
Oral cancer accounts for 3-5% of the domestic cancer incidence rate, but the prognosis is poor because it is often diagnosed relatively late. Early detection is important because the scope of resection for treatment widens as the disease is detected late and the stage progresses. This is because it can cause not only functional damage but also external changes.
In particular, regarding 30% of oral cancer patients suffer from tongue cancer, which is a malignant tumor on the tongue. This is because the tongue receives the most stimulation from the outside due to the structure of the oral cavity. The sides of the tongue, which are easily chewed by teeth and easily irritated by orthodontic prosthetics, are particularly vulnerable. In addition, oral cancer frequently occurs in the gums and under the tongue.
Considering this, if stomatitis does not get better and becomes excessively long or spots appear on the tongue and gums, oral cancer can be suspected. Ordinary stomatitis usually goes away within a week to 10 days. If the following eight symptoms, including these, persist for 2 to 3 weeks, it is best to visit a hospital and get a checkup with a specialist.
△Users (stomatitis) and pain in the mouth persist for more than 2-3 weeks △Swelling in the mouth △Symptoms that make it difficult to swallow △A lump felt in the throat △Voice changes persist for more than 6 weeks △White or red spots appear on the tongue and oral mucosa △Losing teeth unrelated to gum disease △Continuous blockage of one side of the nose
As oral cancer occurs in various types, the exact cause is not known. However, major risk factors include smoking, drinking, HPV (human papillomavirus), and poor oral hygiene. Research has shown that the incidence is higher in men who smoke and drink alcohol.
To prevent oral cancer, you need to pay attention to oral hygiene, quit smoking, and abstain from drinking alcohol. Damage to the oral mucosa caused by ill-fitting dentures or dental prosthesis can progress to oral cancer, so if you are using dentures or dental prosthesis, it is recommended to get regular checkups. Getting the HPV vaccination can also be a preventive measure.
Professor Hwang Bo-yeon of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Korea University Anam Hospital said, “For oral cancer, surgery is usually the priority, and surgery and radiation therapy are used together. The earlier it is discovered, the more likely it is to be completely cured with minimal functional damage, so if ulcers in the mouth appear frequently, “It is a good idea to visit the dentist regularly and get an oral checkup,” he recommended.
White spots appear on the inner cheek mucosa and gums (left), and white and red spots appear under the tongue. [사진=서울대치과병원]
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